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These elegant Antipasto Bites featuring bresaola are a delicious and elegant appetizer and sure to be a hit!

A round plate with six flower-shaped cantaloupe bites, each topped with rolled prosciutto and a basil leaf, arranged in a circle.
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All you need is sweet cantaloupe melon, thinly sliced cured beef, cream cheese, lemon, fresh basil, and a flower-shaped cookie cutter.

A plate with flower-shaped cantaloupe bites, some topped with rolled cured meat and basil leaves, arranged in a circular pattern. A bowl with extra cantaloupe slices is in the background.

They come together in no time and are perfect for summer get-togethers and fancy dinner parties! Serve the appetizer as is or skewer it onto a canapé stick for a mess-free bite.

Serving Suggestion

Top the bites onto a simple green salad for an easy and stunning side dish.

Antipasto Bites Ingredients

  • Cantaloupe: Choose a firm melon with a slightly sweet smell.
  • Bresaola: Buy precut slices at your supermarket or get them freshly cut at the butcher.
  • Cream cheese: I prefer plain full fat cream cheese, but use what you like.
  • Lemon juice: To brighten the flavors.
  • Fresh basil: To garnish and add a pop of color.

How to Make Antipasto Bites

  1. Prepare the cantaloupe: Slice and cutout the cantaloupe flowers. Cutout the round centers.
  2. Prepare the bresaola: Spread cream cheese and lemon juice onto the bresaola slices. Foll them into roses.
  3. Assemble the appetizers: Arrange the bresaola roses into the cantaloupe centers. Garnish with fresh basil.
A hand uses a round cookie cutter to cut centers from flower-shaped slices of cantaloupe.
Hands roll a slice of cured meat.
Hands arranging basil leaves on flower-shaped cantaloupe slices topped with rolled cured meat.

Possible Variations

  • Cantaloupe: Swap for any melon you like. Mango would be delicious, too.
  • Bresaola: Try prosciutto, ham, or Serrano.
  • Cream cheese: Try a herby cream cheese, garlic cream cheese, goats cheese, or blue cheese.
  • Toppings: Sprinkle chopped pistachios or grated Parmesan on top or drizzle with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, or glaze.
  • Size: Use smaller cutters to make these even more bite-sized.
  • Skewers: Cube the melon and stick it on skewers. Top with folded bresaola and fresh basil.

How to Store Antipasto Bites

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within 1 day.

FAQs

What else can I serve these bites with?

Make a delicious antipasto platter and serve with olives, salami, cheese, artichoke hearts, cherry tomatoes, pepperoni, ham, tortellini, etc.

Can I make these bites in advance?

Yes. You can make them up to one day ahead. Cover them with plastic wrap or keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

More Appetizers

If you make this recipe or any other recipe on Foodbites, then I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to leave a comment and rating below.

A round plate with six flower-shaped cantaloupe bites, each topped with rolled prosciutto and a basil leaf, arranged in a circle. Two round cantaloupe pieces complete this health-inspired appetizer.
Servings: 6 people

Antipasto Bites

For an elegant appetizer, try these sweet cantaloupe flowers paired with cream cheese-filled bresaola.
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
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Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 1 cantaloupe
  • 6 slices bresaola, or prosciutto
  • 2 tablespoons cream cheese
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • fresh basil leaves, to garnish

Instructions 

  • Slice the melon.
  • Use the flower cutter to make the melon cutouts.
  • Place the round cutter in the middle of the cantaloupe flowers to remove the center.
  • Spread cream cheese on the thinly sliced bresaola.
  • Squeeze some lemon juice on top.
  • Fold up the bresaola lengthwise.
  • Now, roll the strips into a tight rose.
  • Stick it into the center of the melon flowers.
  • Arrange the basil leaves on top.
  • Serve.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 77kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 5mg, Sodium: 43mg, Potassium: 159mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 3177IU, Vitamin C: 13mg, Calcium: 13mg, Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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